" Does Jesus Want Me?
Akram has lived all his life around Muslims but developed a deep hunger to discover the truth about Jesus. He first got in touch with Maarifa by text...
Greetings in the name of Love (Christ). I want to be the servant of God - Jesus. I want salvation because I am a Yemeni-born Muslim who has grown up in [the Gulf] from an early age. Does Jesus want me? Does His Church want me?
A worker responded within days, reassuring Akram that Christ does indeed love him. The worker encouraged Akram to continue the conversation by email and asked him to share how his interest in Christ began.
I am honoured and have great pleasure in knowing you. Thank God for His love for us. Dear friend, my heart longs to know more about my Saviour. Knowing that I have put my trust in Him, I’m determined to be honest in all circumstances and with everybody. I started by telling the truth to my wife when she asked me to say the Muslim prayers with her at home. She responded with a harsh rebuke. So I asked God to strengthen me and help me always to tell the truth. I had promised myself that I would not start my new life in Christ with lies. I’m determined to tell the truth whatever the cost.
The worker was amazed by Akram's resolve to be bold in witnessing to Christ. The next correspondence shared Akram’s remarkable journey of faith and filled the worker with joy.
I learnt about Jesus Christ from the Qur’an as a child. He is the prophet Isa, son of Mary. I come from a very conservative Muslim family and was brought up with a lot of teaching about the Qur’an - unfortunately, often through hatred and heated discussion. However, nobody around me saw it as hatred as they all genuinely believed that they were pleasing God.
Most of all, I was struck by the miracles of Jesus (e.g. raising the dead) and his power over creation. I realised that only God could do these things. I realised that Christians must be telling the truth about Jesus. But, because of fear, I never met a Christian or heard anyone talk about the Lord Jesus.
I could not say anything publicly, so I kept my Muslim identity and forced myself to accept my situation until I got married. One day, however, I went on YouTube and found that I could freely investigate Christianity there. I listened to the testimony of a Muslim convert to Christianity. That was earlier this month. I then understood that the Christian faith is the way of salvation because it gives equality to all and brings peace between people. So I decided to put my faith in Jesus and accept him as my Lord and Saviour. Until now, I haven’t read the Bible or met any other Christians.
Akram ended his email by thanking the worker for being so concerned about him. He also requested prayer for peace as he tries to maintain his prayer life at home.
Our contact with Akram is continuing, both by phone and email. He has many good questions. Please pray that we can encourage him to grow in his faith. May the Lord keep him safe!
Note: For the safety of those involved, all names have been removed or changed. The image used is for illustrative purposes only.
